SCBA & SCAORA Call For Limiting Entry of Law Interns In Apex Court Amidst Overcrowding Concerns

By a letter dated July 23, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has called for restricting the entry of law interns into the Supreme Court premises to address growing concerns over overcrowding.

The letter written by SCBA Secretary Vikrant Yadav to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court highlights that the introduction of the online pass facility has resulted in a significant influx of interns, leading to congestion in various areas, including libraries, canteens, and corridors.

The SCBA's letter emphasizes the negative impact of this overcrowding on its members, stating, "Due to the paucity of space, SCBA members are left without adequate seating." In response to these challenges, the SCBA has urged the relevant authorities to implement immediate restrictions on interns' access to the Supreme Court compound, which is classified as a high-security zone.

Additionally, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has expressed similar concerns, submitting a letter on July 24 to the Secretary General of the Apex Court advocating for restrictions on intern access. SCAORA Secretary Nikhil Jain noted that rather than gaining educational experiences, many interns occupy essential spaces, creating difficulties for bar members in utilizing facilities and navigating the premises.

"Instead of viewing their visit as an educational experience, many of the interns occupy libraries and canteens and stand in a group in the corridors, often making it difficult for the bar members to use the facilities or even walk/stand in the corridor on account of constrained space," the SCAORA letter reads.

To alleviate the situation, SCAORA has proposed several recommendations:

1. Each Advocate on Record should be permitted to bring only one intern into the Supreme Court on any given day.

2. Intern entry should be entirely restricted on Wednesdays or Thursdays post-lunch.

3. To mitigate the impact on libraries, cafeterias, and bar rooms, a designated space should be allocated for interns to store their belongings, conduct research, or have lunch during court hours.

"These suggestions, if implemented, will help strike a fair balance and prevent overcrowding in the Supreme Court premises, ensuring a conducive environment for all," the SCAORA letter reads.